#1
Posted: 6/3/08 at 7:53pm
It's a bit of a let down after the long wait, but for the most part it's wonderful. It's NOT the first ever complete recording as it claims. There's still a bit of musical material they left out that is actually included on the 1998 studio recording with Ron Raines and Ruthie Henshall. It does include "Why Should I Change a Thing?" on disc two which is the biggest treat for me as I've been wanting to hear that song again since seeing the tour in 2005.
It is the first recording that I know of to include all of the reprises of "Maybe" and the dialogue during "Tomorrow" as well as the full version of the White House reprise of "Tomorrow". There are some arbitrary omissions though, since it seems that they set out to record the entire score, and then didn't. The transition reprise of "We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover" is not included nor is Warbucks' NYC reprise though as stated above both of these are included on the 1998 studio recording. They've also included, for the most part, the dialogue that takes place during any of the songs, but they didn't always record dialogue to set up some of the songs as was done on the 1998 studio recording and if you're a fan of dialogue like I am that's a bit of a let down.
For me, aside from "Why Should I Change a Thing?" the bonus material is pretty tame and clear as to why the songs were eventually cut or not included in the revised Annie Warbucks. Though it's still fun to hear some of the past stars of the show singing unpublished material. Overall, the cast is pretty good. The orchestrations are lively and it is the most complete recording if you only plan on owning one, but if you want to hear the full score you're still going to have to pick up the Original Broadway Cast recording and the 1998 studio cast recording. Though neither of those are complete they still include some material that this release does not.
It is the first recording that I know of to include all of the reprises of "Maybe" and the dialogue during "Tomorrow" as well as the full version of the White House reprise of "Tomorrow". There are some arbitrary omissions though, since it seems that they set out to record the entire score, and then didn't. The transition reprise of "We'd Like to Thank You, Herbert Hoover" is not included nor is Warbucks' NYC reprise though as stated above both of these are included on the 1998 studio recording. They've also included, for the most part, the dialogue that takes place during any of the songs, but they didn't always record dialogue to set up some of the songs as was done on the 1998 studio recording and if you're a fan of dialogue like I am that's a bit of a let down.
For me, aside from "Why Should I Change a Thing?" the bonus material is pretty tame and clear as to why the songs were eventually cut or not included in the revised Annie Warbucks. Though it's still fun to hear some of the past stars of the show singing unpublished material. Overall, the cast is pretty good. The orchestrations are lively and it is the most complete recording if you only plan on owning one, but if you want to hear the full score you're still going to have to pick up the Original Broadway Cast recording and the 1998 studio cast recording. Though neither of those are complete they still include some material that this release does not.
Updated On: 6/3/08 at 07:53 PM
